The Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes officially got the off-season started last night by making the first major trade of the summer.
Montreal traded left winger Alex Galchenyuk to the Coyotes for left winger Max Domi. It was a simple one for one deal involving two players who needed a change of scenery.Both have terrific upside offensively and could fit in well in their new environments. From a talent standpoint, Galchenyuk is more skilled player and he’s bigger (6-1) than Domi. Domi is smaller (5-11) but plays a more complete game and is willing to go to the dirty areas to score like his new teammate Brendan Gallagher.
Galchenyuk never really fit into Claude Julien’s system. (Where have we heard that before?) He wasn’t responsible enough defensively in his own end or in the neutral zone. Julien expects his forwards to be disciplined forecheckers. Galchenyuk didn’t do that consistently.
Montreal gave up some offense to get a more well rounded player in Domi. Domi’s numbers should improve in Montreal but he doesn’t have 30 goal scorer potential like Galchenyuk does. Galchenyuk scored 30 goals during the 2015-16 season. He should hit that total again in Arizona.
It is hard to judge this trade right now but if I had to pick a winner, I would say Arizona. They got the better offensive player in Galchenyuk. He will have more freedom offensively playing for Rick Tocchet. That will translate to more goals.
Galchenyuk’s overall ADP was 147 last season. I expect his ADP to be between 105 to 115 this season.
As for Domi. His ADP was 182 last season. I think he’ll get drafted higher this season but not by much.
The reaction to this trade has been mixed. People around the NHL love it for Arizona and hate it for Montreal. Time will tell who the trade. You can’t do that right now.